12 Products That Should Be in Every Emergency Kit

When the power goes out — whether from a storm, grid failure, or natural disaster — your preparation determines whether it's a minor inconvenience or a genuine hardship. These 12 electronic products form the foundation of a modern emergency kit.

Power

1. Portable Power Station

The EcoFlow RIVER 2 ($180, 256Wh) charges from a wall outlet in 60 minutes, from a car in 3 hours, or from a solar panel in 3-6 hours. It runs phone chargers, a CPAP machine, a lamp, a small fan, or a mini fridge for hours. This is the single most important emergency purchase you can make.

For larger needs, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max ($400, 512Wh) doubles the capacity and can power more demanding devices.

2. Solar Panel (Portable)

The Jackery SolarSaga 100W ($250) folds flat for storage and charges most portable power stations. In a multi-day outage, solar is your only renewable charging option. Even cloudy days produce enough power to keep phones and small devices running.

3. Power Bank

The Anker 325 Power Bank (20,000mAh) ($30) charges a phone 4-5 times. Keep it fully charged and in your emergency kit. It's your first line of defense before breaking out the power station.

Read our emergency power guide →

Communication

4. Emergency Weather Radio

The Midland ER310 ($50) receives NOAA weather alerts, AM/FM broadcasts, and charges via hand crank, solar panel, or USB. When cell towers are down, AM/FM radio may be your only information source. The hand crank means it works when everything else is dead.

5. Walkie-Talkies

The Midland X-Talker T77VP5 ($55 pair) provides 38-mile range (realistically 2-5 miles in urban areas) with NOAA weather alerts. When cell networks are overloaded during emergencies, walkie-talkies work. Essential for coordinating with family or neighbors.

Lighting

6. USB-Rechargeable Lantern

The LuminAID PackLite Max 2-in-1 ($25) is an inflatable, solar-rechargeable lantern that doubles as a phone charger. Waterproof, weighs almost nothing, and provides 150 lumens for 24 hours. It inflates from flat, making it easy to store in any kit.

7. Headlamp

The Black Diamond Spot 400 ($35) keeps your hands free while providing 400 lumens. Essential for navigating during power outages, checking on property damage, or any task that requires both hands and light.

Safety and Health

8. Pulse Oximeter

The Zacurate Pro 500DL ($16) monitors blood oxygen saturation — critical during respiratory emergencies, smoke inhalation, or COVID-like situations. Uses AAA batteries (store extras in your kit).

9. Smoke and CO Detector (Battery-Powered)

A dedicated battery-powered Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector ($30) works when your hardwired detectors lose power. During outages, people use candles, gas stoves, and generators indoors — all CO risks. A battery CO detector can save your life.

10. Battery-Powered Fan

The O2COOL Treva 10-Inch Battery Fan ($22) runs on D batteries or USB power. During summer power outages, heat can be dangerous. A battery fan provides critical cooling, especially for elderly family members.

Information and Navigation

11. Pre-Loaded USB Drive

A 64GB USB drive ($10) loaded with: digital copies of insurance documents, family photos, medical records, emergency contact list, copies of IDs/passports, and offline maps of your area. Store it in a waterproof bag in your emergency kit. When your phone dies and the internet is down, this drive contains everything you need.

12. Handheld GPS

The Garmin eTrex 22x ($180) provides GPS navigation without cell service. When phone GPS fails (dead battery, no signal), a dedicated GPS with preloaded topographic maps guides you to safety. Critical for evacuation scenarios.

Kit Organization Tips

• Store everything in a waterproof container or bag
• Check battery levels quarterly (set a calendar reminder)
• Keep the kit near your exit routes
• Include a printed card with important phone numbers (you won't remember them without your phone)
• Test your power station and solar panel annually
• Rotate batteries (use the ones in the kit and replace with fresh ones)

The total cost for this complete emergency electronics kit is approximately $700-900. That's a fraction of the cost of even minor damage from being unprepared — and potentially life-saving in a serious emergency.

Read our comprehensive emergency preparedness guide →

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